The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, paid visits on Sunday to military and security formations deployed across several flashpoints in Kano North Senatorial District, where troops are engaged in ongoing efforts to halt repeated incursions by bandits from neighbouring states.
The tour, which began at around 7:00 a.m., took Senator Barau to strategic locations in Gwarzo, Shanono and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas, all of which have reportedly come under attack in recent weeks, prompting a joint deployment of the Nigerian Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A statement issued by the senator’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said Barau arrived in Kano and proceeded directly to Lakwaya Ward in Gwarzo LGA, where he was received by troops stationed at their camp.
At the Gwarzo camp, Barau, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, was accompanied by the Garrison Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 3 Brigade in Kano, Lt. Col. I. Ekoh, and other senior security officials. There, he inspected a parade mounted by the troops and led by the Joint Task Force Commander in Gwarzo, Lt. Abdullahi Sadiq.
Addressing the operatives after the inspection, the senator commended their dedication to protecting lives and property in the beleaguered communities. “Thank you very much for your efforts to safeguard the lives and property of our people,” he said, praising both the troops and the prompt response from federal authorities. He extended his gratitude to President Tinubu, whom he credited for swiftly acting on requests to reinforce security in the area.
Barau said, “He took it upon himself to inform the Chief of Defence Staff, down to the Chief of Army Staff, the IGP and all the security agencies, including the Director-General of DSS, which culminated in your posting to this area. Since you arrived in this area, you have been doing all you can to restore peace and tranquillity to our people. I’m here to thank you for putting your lives on the line to ensure our people live in peace and tranquillity.”
He urged the troops to maintain the momentum of their operations, stressing the importance of pressing forward against criminal elements. “Please go after these people who don’t want peace in our land, the bandits who are terrorising our people. Chase them wherever they are and flush them out of this area, and indeed the entire area,” Barau said, expressing confidence in their capability to secure lasting peace.
Beyond military encouragement, Barau also called on residents of the affected communities to support and cooperate with security agencies, saying that information sharing and community collaboration are critical to achieving enduring stability.
From Lakwaya, the Deputy Senate President proceeded to additional troops’ camps in Tsaure and Faruruwa wards of Shanono LGA, before visiting the camp in Tsanyawa LGA, where he addressed officers and personnel on duty at each stop.
Community leaders seized the opportunity during a meeting in Faruruwa Ward to express appreciation for the deployment and other federal interventions. Alhaji Yahaya Bagobiri, an elder statesman, thanked the authorities not only for the security presence but also for ongoing road projects and political appointments for indigenes, including a key placement within Barau’s office.
A former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan, described the visit as a “morale booster for security operatives” and praised the senator for his “consistent and decisive role” in addressing the district’s security challenges.
Responding to community concerns during the engagements, Barau said the visit was driven by recent bandits’ incursions and was meant to offer direct engagement with troops and residents alike. “May Allah protect us and prevent any future occurrence of such incidents,” he said, adding that he came to “see them, listen to them, and discuss the situation on the ground.”
In response to requests from local stakeholders, Barau also announced plans for the construction of a dam in the area, aimed at addressing long-standing community needs.
The delegation accompanying the Deputy Senate President included the APC Secretary in Kano State, Ibrahim Zakari Sarina, along with other senior party and government officials.
